ACADA

Thursday, 22 December 2016

New Craze for Codeine Among Nigerian Youths

By Sunday Obembe

The increasing
rate of abuse of pharmaceutical products especially Codeine among Nigerian
youths is alarming. The drug which is usually mixed with soft drinks is
gradually taking over alcohol in youth parties.

Though, the use of
several mind altering substances of natural origin has been in existence for a
long time. From the days of yore, man has tried to either shy away from their
problems, pressures and challenges of life or celebrate some pleasant things
through the use of liquor and different intoxicating substances.

Such liquor which includes palm wine and locally brewed alcohol such as
“ogogoro”, “burukutu”, plants like “gegemu” and others was used occasionally
and in moderation with few exceptions. This was the trend of substance use in
Nigeria until after the Second World War when cannabis also known as India Hemp
was introduced through war veterans who brought home the cannabis seed from India.
The 70s and 80s saw the introduction of other drugs like cocaine, heroin,
amphetamines and pharmaceutical opioids such as codeine. A lot has been introduced into drug abuse with
unexplainable mixtures, experimentations and irritating new discoveries like
inhaling pit toilet/soak away fumes.

However, as part
of the government effort to cushion the use of these substances among Nigerian
youths, a major crusade on drug abuse was launched in Lagos State by the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, which is aimed
at sensitizing and enlightening the people of the state especially youths on
the dangers of inappropriate drug use, particularly codeine.

Whether codeine
is used properly or it is abused, it has many of the same effects as other
opiates. Codeine may cause nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. Since opiates
suppress breathing, the codeine user may have slowed breathing or difficulty
getting his breath. This is the way an opiate kills if a little too much of the
drug is taken. With codeine, not much more of the drug needs to be taken for an
overdose than one would normally take for treatment of pain.

When a person
is using codeine for cough suppression instead or for pain, usually a smaller
dose is consumed. Either way, another common effect of codeine use is
addiction. How long it takes to get addicted will vary by person. Some people
may be addicted after only a couple of weeks. Another person may take codeine
for a longer time and still be able to stop.

A codeine user
may be drowsy, especially if he or she is using a high dosage or is abusing the
drug. His heart rate will slow down, which can lead to fainting or dizziness.
Its mental effects could include confusion, irritation, antagonism or
agitation. If effects or dosage are more intense, there could be hallucinations
or even convulsions.

Furthermore, there
are five important predisposing factors to drug abuse among youths which
includes, peer pressure, curiosity, ignorance, academic induced frustration and
lack of parental care. Adolescence and young adult are characterised by new
identities/peer selection, adventurism, curiosity, excitement and role
confusion.

Where youths and
teenagers are not well guided, either by the home or school, they choose wrong
peers which will lead to experimenting with drugs. Also, the challenges of life
which may include academic workload, becoming free from parents put them under
pressure to find solace in drugs. Some even claim that they take some of these
drugs to be relief, though out of ignorance of the consequences.

Others have been introduced
to these substances without knowing what they took. They would probably notice
that they felt differently and would want to have a similar feel. Before they
could say Jack Robinson they would have been addicted it.

Drug abuse is also
associated with anti social vices among youths such as cultism, hooliganism, and
armed robbery. This means that addressing the menace of drug abuse among
Nigerian youths requires collective efforts; parents, institutions of learning,
religious organizations, other youth associations, government agencies and the
general public all coming together to fight these time bomb waiting to explode
if not properly managed.